School Bond Vote Figures Changed

The Ann Arbor School District's three-part, $9.5 million bonding issue of Dec. 18 appears to have been defeated by larger margins than had been reported earlier. According to the minutes of the Washténaw County Board of Canvassers- released today by the school district- Proposal I of the bonding, issue was defeated by 491 votes, not by 450 votes as originally thought. Proposal I would have provided funds for school construction and renovations. The Board of Canvassers says Proposal II, which asked for funds to finance school services and administration facilities, was rejected by 2,692 voters- a discrepancy of 357 votes from the earlier total of 2,335 "no" votes. Proposal III, according to the Board of Canvassers, lost by 756 votes, not by 698 votes as originally reported. This proposition would have provided funds for an addition to Ann Arbor's main public library. George Balas, business manager of the Ann Arbor Public Schols, says he does not understand the vote discrepancy and is investigating. This was the first time a school election was canvassed by the Board of Canvassers of Washtenaw County. The job was originally done by the Board of Education, then by committees appointed by the board.